Hanger



Sept. 6, 1966 Filed Nov. 16, 1964 R. E. DENNIS ETAL HANGER 5Sheets-Sheet l 2.95 (7 Bil 5 24 f E" 24c FIG. 4

I NV E NTORS RALPH E. DENNIS BY RONALD A. BOLIN ATTORNEY p 1966 R. E.DENNIS ETAL 3,270,892

HANGER Filed Nov. 16, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RALPH E. DENNISRONALD A BOLIN AT TORNE Y p 1966 R. E. DENNIS ETAL 3,270,892

HANGER Filed Nov. 16, 1964 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 224 d w I FIG. 8

INVENTORS RALPH E. DENNIS fl ll BY RONALD A. BOLIN ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,270,892 HANGER Ralph E. Dennis, 2693 Fairfax Drive,Columbus, Ohio, gig Ronald A. Bolin, 2087 Incheliti Road, Columbus,

Filed Nov. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 411,387 10 Claims. (Cl. 211113) Thisinvention relates to a hanger device and, more particularly, to anadapter for use with a plurality of coat hangers.

The coat hangers to be used with the adapter of the invention are theusual Wire or wood structures (as ShOlWIl for example in FIG. seen inevery clothes closet and comprising a hook and a shoulder portion forengaging the shoulder of a garment. These hangers present a number ofproblems.

When hangers are hung in a wide clothes closet they present a minimum ofdifliculty. A rod can be positioned longitudinally across the closet andthe hangers can be hung parallel to each other and in planes which areperpendicular to the vertical plane which includes the supporting rod.

If the closet is not deep enough to accommodate the -full length of ahanger it is customary to turn the hangers cross-ways and hang them onspaced hooks or nails which do not extend across the full depth of thecloset and there- 'fore accommodate a limited number of hangers.

A second problem with hangers arises when it becomes necessary to moveclothing on hangers from one supporting rod to another. This can be veryfrustrating since attempts to transfer the hangers en masse from one rodto a second rod results in some of the hooks becoming engaged on thesecond rod with others missing the rod. The alternative to this is totransfer the hangers one at a time, an alternative that can test onespatience.

A third problem arises in commercial laundries where workers placeindividual hangers on a rack as work is finished and then handle thehanger again when the customer arrives. This method of operation alsoincreases the probability of mixing one customers clothing withanothers. A unit adapter on which all a single customers clothing couldbe hung would minimize such problems.

Objects It is an object of this invention to provide an adapter for coathangers which permits the hanger to hang at any desired angle relativeto the support; that is, parallel to a supporting rod, perpendicular toa supporting rod or anywhere in between the parallel and verticalpositions.

It is a further object to provide a coat hanger adapter which permits ofthe simultaneous transfer of a number of coat hangers from one rack toanother or from one supporting bar to another without individualhandling of the hangers.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide a coat hangeradapter of simple construction and inexpensive enough to serve as athrow away item for commercial laundries.

We have now found that the foregoing and related objects can be securedin a coat hanger adapter for permitting of the hanging of a plurality ofcoat hangers on an.

elevated support wherein said hangers hang in substantially the samevertical plane which plane can be turned through an angle of 90 betweentwo vertical planes perpendicular to each other Without changing theposition of said adapter, said adapter comprising: (1) means such as ahook or clamp for suspending said adapter from said support; (2) a shankattached to and extending vertically downward from said suspendingmeans; (3) a plurality of spaced shoulders in vertical array extendinglaterally outward from said shank, each of said shoulders being3,279,892 Patented Sept. 6, 1966 adapted to support a coat hanger hook;(4) a plurality of stops, one on the outer end of each shoulder toprevent an in situ coat hanger from falling off said shoulder; and (5) aplurality of openings each defined by a shoulder, a stop, and a .portionof the shank and wherein each opening, if geometrically projected to thesaid vertical planes perpendicular to each other, will effect, in eachsuch perpendicular plane, a projected opening which is sufficiently wideto accommodate a coat hanger hook.

More specifically we have discovered a coat hanger adapter forpermitting of the hanging of a plurality of coat hangers on ahorizontally extending rod wherein said hangers hang in substantiallythe same vertical plane, which plane can be turned through an angle ofbetween a first vertical plane which includes said rod and a secondvertical plane perpendicular to said first plane Without changing theposition of said adapter, said adapter comprising: (1) a hook or clampfor engaging said rod; (2) a bent sheet integrally formed with andhanging vertically downward from said hook; (3) at least one set ofspaced, vertically arrayed openings in said sheet wherein each of saidopenings, if geometrically projected to the said vertical planesperpendicular to each other, will effect, in each such perpendicularplane, a projected opening which is sufiiciently wide to accommodate acoat hang- The invention can be better understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings which illustrate several specific embodiments ofthe invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coat hanger adapter embodying featuresof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal cross section taken along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coat hanger adapter of the inventionsupporting coat hangers in a vertical plane parallel to the verticalplane which includes the supporting cross bar;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coat hanger adapter of FIG. 5supporting coat hangers in a vertical plane perpendicular to thevetrical plane which includes the supporting cross bar;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a third alternative embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9 is a view in cross section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a fourth alternative embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIG. 11 is a view in cross section taken along the line 1111 in FIG. 10.

With detailed reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 16inclusive, the coat hanger adapter of the invention comprises a hook 20and a vertically corrugated sheet 21 attached to and hanging verticallydownward from the hook 20.

The hook 20 is provided with a web portion 22 and the sheet 21 isprovided with an opening 23 to minimize the weight of the structure. Thesheet 21 is also provided with openings 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24c and 24]into each of which the book of a coat hanger such as coat hanger 25(FIGS. 5 and 6) can be inserted.

Each of the openings 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 242 and 24 is defined (asillustrated by opening 24a in FIG. 1) by a .shank 26, a shoulder 27 uponwhich a coat hanger can rest, and a stop 28 to prevent an in situ coathanger from sliding off the shoulder 27. It is the nature of theseopenings which constitutes an important feature of the invention andthis is illustrated in FIG. 2. The coat hanger 25 of FIGS. 5 and 6 isillustrated in FIG. 2 in a first plane by broken line A and in a secondplane perpendicular to the first plane by the broken line 25B. A secondcoat hanger 29 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in the first plane by brokenline 29A and in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane bybroken line 29B.

Because of the nature of the opening 24 e, the hanger 25 can be rotated90 between its position 25A in the first plane and 25B its position inthe second plane without changing the position of the adapter.Similarly, and because of the nature of the opening 24B, the hanger 29can be rotated 90 between its position 2A in the first plane and 29B itsposition in the second plane without changing the position of theadapater. To accommodate a coat hanger in the various positionsindicated the openings 24a, 25b, etc. are formed in a manner such that,if each opening is geometrically projected to the said first plane andto the said second plane, each such projected opening is substantiallyas wide as the coat hanger hook to be accommodated. Thus the distancebetween the two parallel broken lines 25A representing the first planeof hanger 25 is the width of such a projection on the second plane.Similarly, the distance between the two parallel broken lines 25Brepresenting the second plane of hanger 25 is the width of such aprojection on the first plane.

The openings 24a, 24b and 240 are in vertical array as are the openings24d, 242 and 24]. As illustrated, the spacing between openings 24a and24d, the spacing between 24b and 24B, and the spacing between 240 and 24are equal. Advantage may be gained by positioning lower openings closerto the center of the adapter than upper openings. This provides for lesscrowding of the hangers. Thus the spacing between openings 24]) and 24acan be slightly less than the spacing between openings 24a and 24d.Similarly, the spacing between openings 24c and 24 can be slightly lessthan the spacing between openings 24b and 24e. In general, eachsuccessive opening in a downward direction in a set of spaced,vertically arrayed openings is closer to the center line of the adapter.

FIG. 5 shows the adapter of FIGS. 1-4 being supported by a cross bar 30and in turn supporting six coat hangers such as hangers 25 and 29. Asillustrated the coat hangers are holding shirts 3-1. In FIG. 5 thevertical plane of the coat hangers is, for practical purposes, one planeand this is coincident with, or at least parallel to, the vertical planewhich includes the cross bar 30.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 except the hangers, such as hanger 25, havebeen rotated through 90 and the vertical plane of the hangers is, asshown, perpendicular to the vertical plane which includes the cross bar30. It should be noted that, although the vertical plane of the coathangers has been rotated through 90 the adapter has remained in the sameposition relative to the cross bar 30. Thus, FIG. 5 represents the useof the adapter of the invention in a clothes closet which is too narrowto accommodate shirts, coats, and the like hung in vertical planesperpendicular to the plane of the cross bar. FIG. 6 represents the useof the adapter of the invention in a clothes closet which issufliciently wide to accommodate shirts, coats, and the like in verticalplanes perpendicular to the vertical plane of the cross bar.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, a shank126 is attached to and hangs vertically downward from a hook 120.Shoulders such as shoulder 127 extend laterally from the shank 126 andare adapted to support a coat hanger hook. A stop such as stop 128 onthe outer end of the shoulder 127 prevents an in situ coat hanger fromfalling 011? the shoulder. I-t maybe noted that the shank structure 126and the stop structure 128 are identical in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

The adapter of FIG. 7 is provided with openings 124a, 124b, 1240, 1242and 124; which are defined (using opening 124a by way of example) by theshank 126, the shoulder :127 and the stop 123. As in the case of theopenings 240 etc. in the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the openings124a, etc. in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is formed in a manner such that,if it were geometrically projected to a first plane coincident with theplane of the shank 1'26 and to a second plane perpendicular to the saidfirst plane, the projected openings in each such perpendicular planewould be sufiiciently wide to accommodate a coat hanger hook.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show still another embodiment of the invention. A shank226 is attached to and hangs vertically downward from a hook 220.Shoulders such as shoulder 2 27 extend laterally outward from the shank226 and are adapted to support a coat hanger hook. A stop, such as stop228, on the outer end of the shoulder 227., prevents an in situ coathanger from falling otf the shoulder 227.

Openings 224a, 224b, 224e, 224a and 224 are each defined by (usingopening 22411 by way of example) the shank 2 26, the shoulder 227, andthe stop 228. FIG. 9 shows the nature of the openings 224a, 224b, etc.;that is, that each can be geometrically projected to two planesperpendicular to each other and efiect, in each such perpendicularplane, a projected opening which is sufiiciently wide to accommodate acoat hanger hook.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show still another embodiment of the coat hanger adapterof the invention. A shank 326 is attached to and hangs verticallydownward from a hook 320. Shoulders, such as shoulder 327, extendlaterally outward from the shank 326 and are adapted to support a coathanger hook. A stop, such as stop 328, provided on the outer end of theshoulder 327,'prevents an in situ coat hanger from falling off theshoulder 327.

Openings 324a, 324b, 3240, 324d, 3246 and 324 are each defined by (usingopening 324a by way of example) the shank 326, the shoulder 327, and thestop 328. FIG. 11 shows the nature of the openings 324a, 3241), etc;that is, that each can be geometrically projected to two planesperpendicular to each other and effect, in each such perpendicularplane, a projected opening which is sufiiciently wide to accommodate acoat hanger hook.

The coat hanger adapter of the invention can be made of any suitablematerial such as plastic, aluminum, steel, and the like. The adapter(particularly the structure of FIG. 1), can be stamped out of a singlesheet of material, can be constructed with wire (particularly thestructure of FIG. 10), or can be formed in any suitable manner.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. l4 is particularly valuable because alarge number of such structures can be stored in a small space. Thelatter advantage is obtained because the unit adapters fit into eachother when stacked and therefore occupy very little space. Anotheradvantage of the embodiments of FIG. 1, wherein the openings arecompletely surrounded by solid material, is that, if the adapter and itscomplement of hangers is dropped, the hanger hooks tend to remain in theopenings and the whole assembly can be picked up easily.

It is to be understood that the above specifically described embodimentsconstitute preferred embodiments of the invention and are used forpurposes of illustration only, that the invention is not limited to theprecise forms disclosed, and that various changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention which is described bythe following claims.

We claim:

1. A coat hanger adapter for permitting of the hanging of a plurality ofcoat hangers on an elevated support wherein said hangers hang insubstantially the same vertical plane, which hangers can be turnedthrough an angle of between two vertical planes perpendicular to eachother, said adapter comprising:

(a) means for suspending said adapter from a support;

(b) a shank attached to and extending vertically downward from saidsuspending means;

(c) a plurality of spaced shoulders in vertical array extendinglaterally outward from said shank, each of said shoulders being adaptedto support a coat hanger hook;

(d) a plurality of stops, one on the outer end of each shoulder toprevent an in situ coat hanger from falling off said shoulder; and

(e) a plurality of openings each defined by a shoulder, a stop, and aportion of the shank and wherein each opening, if geometricallyprojected to the said vertical planes perpendicular to each other, willeffect, in each such perpendicular plane, a projected opening which issufliciently wide to accommodate a coat hanger hook.

2. The adapter according to claim 1 in which the suspending means is ahook.

3. A coat hanger adapter for permitting of the hanging of a plurality ofcoat hangers on a horizontally extending rod wherein said hangers hangin substantially the same vertical plane, which hangers can be turnedthrough an angle of 90 between a first vertical plane which includessaid rod and a second vertical plane perpendicular to said first planewithout changing the position of said adapter, said adapter comprising:

(a) a means for engaging a rod;

(b) a vertically corrugated sheet attached to and extending verticallydownward from said hook;

(c) at least one set of spaced, vertically arrayed openings in saidsheet wherein each opening, if geometrically projected to the saidplanes perpendicular to each other, will effect, in each suchperpendicular plane, a projected opening which is sufficiently wide toaccommodate a coat hanger book.

4. The adapter according to claim 3 wherein each successive opening in adownward direction in a set of spaced openings is closer to the centerline of the adapter.

5. The adapter according to claim 3 wherein there are two sets of saidspaced, vertically arrayed openings.

6. The adapter according to claim 3 wherein said means is a hook.

7. A coat hanger adapter for permitting of the hanging of a plurality ofcoat hangers on a horizontally extending rod wherein said hangers hangin substantially the same vertical plane, which hangers can be turnedthrough an angle of 90 between a first vertical plane which includessaid rod and a second vertical plane perpendicular to said first planewithout changing the position of said adapter, said adapter comprising:

(a) a hook for engaging a rod;

( b) a bent sheet integrally formed with and hanging vertically downwardfrom said hook;

(c) at least one set of spaced, vertically arrayed openings in saidsheet wherein each of said openings, if geometrically projected to thesaid vertical planes perpendicular to each other, will effect, in eachsuch perpendicular plane, a projected opening which is sufiicien-tlywide to accommodate a coat hanger.

8. The adapter according to claim 7 wherein there are two sets of saidspaced, vertically arrayed openings.

9. The adapter according to claim 7 wherein each successive opening in adownward direction in a set of spaced openings is closer to the centerline of the adapter.

10. The adapter according to claim 7 wherein there are two sets of saidspaced, vertically arrayed openings and wherein each successive openingin a downward direction in each set of said openings is closer to thecenter line of the adapter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 193,919 10/1962 Meyer et al. D8 1,561,755 11/1925 Tasefi 52345 1,813,932 7/1931Kennard 211- 119 2,915,274 12/ 1959 Gustitus 248-317 FOREIGN PATENTS904,935 9/ 1962 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner.

3. A COAT HANGER ADAPTER FOR PERMITTING OF THE HANGING OF A PLURALITY OFCOAT HANGERS ON A HORIZONALLY EXTENDING ROD WHEREIN SAID HANGERS HANG INSUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME VERTICAL PLANE, WHICH HANGERS CAN BE TURNEDTHROUGH AN ANGLE OF 90* BETWEEN A FIRST VERTICAL PLANE WHICH INCLUDESSAID ROD AND A SECOND VERTICAL PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST PLANEWITHOUT CHANGING THE POSITION OF SAID ADAPTER, SAID ADAPTER COMPRISING:(A) A MEANS FOR ENGAGING A ROD; (B) A VERTICALLY CORRUGATED SHEETATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY DOWNWARD FROM SAID HOOK; (C) ATLEAST ONE SET OF SPACED, VERTICALLY ARRAYED OPENINGS IN SAID SHEETWHEREIN EACH OPENING, IF GEOMETRICALLY PROJECTED TO THE SAID PLANESPERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER, WITH EFFECT, IN EACH SUCH PERPENDICULARPLANE, A PROJECTED OPENING WHICH IS SUFFICIENTLY WIDE TO ACCOMMODATE ACOAT HANGER HOOK.